Controls and Systems Integration Engineer

About the role

SAIC is seeking a Controls and Systems Integration Engineer to support advanced unmanned maritime systems in San Diego, CA. This is an ON-SITE role.

Job Duties

• Develop, integrate, tune, and troubleshoot control systems for unmanned maritime vehicles and payload systems.
• Support integration of propulsion, steering, thrusters, ballast, payload, generator, battery, and power-management subsystems.
• Work with PLC-based control systems, including I/O mapping, relay control, interlocks, alarms, remote switching, and safety logic.
• Troubleshoot real-world control issues involving latency, noisy sensors, bad feedback, incorrect scaling, network loss, power interruptions, and actuator faults.
• Write, modify, and troubleshoot software in C/C++ and Python for robotics, controls, test automation, data logging, and hardware integration.
• Develop and debug TCP/UDP socket-based interfaces, device drivers, telemetry links, command interfaces, and test tools.
• Support integration of vehicle networks involving HMIs, PLCs, cameras, navigation systems, radar, AIS, power-monitoring devices, and control computers.
• Analyze logs, telemetry, packet captures, sensor data, and vehicle behavior to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Support integration and troubleshooting of DC, and AC power systems used on unmanned maritime platforms.
• Use multimeters, oscilloscopes, CAN tools, serial terminals, network tools, and other test equipment to diagnose system issues.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, network diagrams, mechanical drawings, interface control documents, and technical manuals.
• Assist with safe lockout, isolation, inspection, and functional testing of onboard systems.
• Create and maintain test plans, procedures, checklists, configuration records, anomaly reports, and technical notes.
• Support government test events, demonstrations, sea trials, and operational exercises.
• Participate in launch, recovery, troubleshooting, and post-mission analysis for UUVs, USVs, ROVs, payloads, and supporting equipment.
• Work directly with engineers, technicians, operators, vendors, and government customers to solve problems quickly and safely.
• Support continuous improvement of system reliability, maintainability, documentation, and operational procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Controls, or a related technical discipline and five (5) years or more related experience.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must have an Active Secret Clearance to start.
• Must be able to obtain a TS/SCI after start.
• Hands-on experience with controls, robotics, automation, embedded systems, unmanned systems, marine systems, industrial systems, or complex electromechanical equipment.
• Familiarity with C/C++ and Python.
• Familiarity with PLCs, discrete I/O, relays, interlocks, feedback signals, and automation logic.
• Experience with Ethernet networking and TCP/UDP socket communication.
• Familiarity with CAN bus, serial communications, or other fieldbus/device communication protocols.
• Ability to troubleshoot both software and hardware problems in a lab, shop, pier-side, or field environment.
• Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, network diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals.
• Willingness to work on-site in San Diego and support occasional field tests, sea trials, shipboard events, or travel as needed.

Desired Skills

• Experience with UUVs, USVs, ROVs, AUVs, sUAS, robotics, autonomous vehicles, marine systems, or defense test programs.
• Experience with ROS, MOOS-IvP, autonomy frameworks, mission planning tools, or robotic middleware.
• Experience with Linux system administration, shell scripting, Docker, Git, and configuration management.
• Experience with WAGO, Beckhoff, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Codesys, or similar PLC ecosystems.
• Experience with marine electronics such as NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, AIS, radar, GNSS/INS, DVL, sonar, acoustic modems, or navigation sensors.
• Experience with lithium battery systems, BMS interfaces, Victron or similar power-monitoring systems, inverters, chargers, and generator controls.
• Experience with data analysis, telemetry review, fault trees, FMEA, safety cases, or formal test reporting.
• Experience operating safely around high-current DC systems, rotating machinery, marine propulsion, winches, launch-and-recovery equipment, or shipboard systems.